Afeni Shakur

I was able to attend a lecture at the University of Chicago with Afeni Shakur on Friday night.

For me, it was a blessing and a pleasant surprise because she offered insight on two pieces of history in which I'm most interested: the Civil Rights movement (via the Black Panther Party) and hip hop (via the late Tupac Amaru Shakur).

Ms. Shakur was visibly excited to have the opportunity to speak about things she is most passionate about. She connected almost instantly with audience speaking about the reasons she joined the Party and how it has shaped her life and her road to recovery (from drugs and violence).

To illustrate this dramatic change, she said, "I'm not against anything." I don't have to time to be against something because there are too many things to be for. To drive this point home, she bragged about the recent opening of the new performing arts center in Georgia, which includes a peace garden. The whole purpose of the center is modeled after Tupac themes: Thug Mansionz and Underground Railroads--a safe house to figure out how to get things done.

A key question posed by an audience member: What should young people, especially children, take away from the memory of Tupac?

"I want people to admire his work ethic--it was the most powerful thing he had. Everything he did had a purpose and nothing was intended to be destructive. He was taught to disagree but to stand up and defend his position."

The most key memory/insight of Tupac:
"As a 25 year old black man he said everything he wanted to say."

To me, that thought/realization is so key. I think about the young twentysomethings black men I know now. Of those, who would be able to say the same? Who would have fought for that opportunity to demand the world's attentions to pain and suffering and hope and peace that can all be found within the black community?

If nothing else, for me, Tupac has inspired me to keep writing. If he was able to get all of his thoughts out in 25 short years of life, why cant I? Why can't other people my age work towards this goal?